Auckland Week 4

After a nice and relaxing weekend it was back to work at the university on Monday. It was another busy week, and I spent a fair bit of the time in the building they were just refurbishing which had to be finished that week. This required me to do a lot of tidying up, and moving things about while they did things like lay the carpet and paint the walls. There was a fair bit to do in the main building too however which flooded once again due to the rain over the weekend and during the week, the building still not properly watertight. It was a very busy week although we were bought beers on Friday to thank us for our hard work which went down well.

Come Saturday I decided to go and visit Motutapu Island for the day, which sits next to Rangitito Island about 25 minute boat from the CBD. I visited Rangitito Island when I last came to Auckland, and due to there being just 1 ferry a week to Motutapu Island I caught a ferry to Rangitoto and walked to Motutapu. Rangitoto Island is the youngest of the islands in the Hauraki Gulf, formed by a series of dramatic explosions from the sea about 600 years ago. It was last and largest of the volcanoes to formed in Auckland at 260m above sea level. At the time of these eruptions Maori tribes were living on the adjacent Motutapu Island and witnessed the eruptions. Nowadays Rangitoto boasts a fascinating landscape of rugged lava crops, lush native bush, and sandy coves. Motutapu Island in comparison has a history dating back to the Jurassic period and is one the oldest islands in Hauraki Gulf. The island is home to the Reid Homestead farm, with many scenic walking tracks and secluded beaches.

As I fell asleep so early the night before I woke up early which meant I caught the 7.30am ferry across to Rangitoto, which coincided with sunrise which was pretty special. It also gave me the cheaper early bird fare which was a bonus. When arriving on Rangitoto I headed eastwards along the Islington Bay Road flanked in all directions with lava crops. When I visited last time I headed westwards and looped round the island before going up to the summit, and back down the other side to the ferry terminal. Heading eastwards was all new to me. En route to the the bridge connecting Rangitoto to Motutapu I took a detour to Wreck Bay and Boulder Bay which followed a path across the lava field on some very rugged terrain to the northern coastline. This area is famous for its many shipwrecks, although as I arrived at high tide only a few of the 16 wrecks were visible.

Heading back to the road the same way across the lava fields, I soon made it to Motutapu Island. The terrain and landscape changed dramatically to rolling grassy hills, with little tree cover. Motutapu Island had many walking tracks, and with 5pm the last ferry leaving Rangitoto I had to make sure I kept an eye on the time. I basically followed the coastline of the island in a clockwise direction, taking detours to many of the bays en route which was just empty. With the island being so undulating there were often brilliant views of some of the other islands in Hauraki Gulf in all directions. I didn't bump into another person until the islands campsite on the southern shore which itself had probably the pick of the beaches. It was brilliant pretty much having the island to myself, although I did cover a lot of distance, not arriving back to the ferry terminal on Rangitoto until about half 4!

At the ferry terminal there were a fair few people, and there was also a natural pool which I had to paddle to feet in which was refreshing. I arrived back on the mainland by about half 5, stopping via Devonport en route. I spent the evening relaxing in the hostel although I did go out for a few beers in my hostel bar as well as another cheap meal which they offer which works out cheaper than trying to cook myself which I've done the whole week.

Come Sunday I had a lie in, although the clocks did go back an hour so I set an alarm to listen to the Saints game before going back to bed after. I had a far more relaxing day looking round a few of the shops, before heading out to Victoria Park and Silo Park at the recently developed Wynyard Quarter which despite staying in such close proximity to I haven't really explored properly. It just happened to be dog day which meant there were dogs everywhere! I had lunch here and just chilled out for the afternoon as it was a nice day, before heading back to the hostel. Come evening I just relaxed and sorted everything out for work next week.